1. from the Odyssey, Part One Introducing the Selection What difference can a journey make in a person’s life?

2. [End of Section] The Iliad and the Odyssey are both attributed to a poet named Homer, but no one really knows much about this man. The later Greeks believed he was a blind minstrel, or singer, from the island of Chios. However, seven different cities claimed to be his birthplace. Also, if Homer were blind, he would have been able to see at one time because his epics are so rich in visual imagery. from the Odyssey, Part One Meet the Writer

3. Preview the Selection from the Odyssey, Part One [End of Section] In the Odyssey you will meet Odysseus, an epic hero consumed with one goal: He wants to return home to his kingdom of Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope.

4. from the Odyssey, Part One Introducing the Selection The Odyssey is a tale of a hero’s long and dangerous journey home. It is also the story of a son in need of his father and of a faithful wife awaiting her husband’s return.

5. When we first meet Odysseus, he is a prisoner on the goddess Calypso’s island. from the Odyssey, Part One Introducing the Selection Zeus sends his messenger, Hermes, to set Odysseus free, and the adventure begins. What does the angry Poseidon, god of the sea, have in store for our hero? [End of Section]

6. An epic hero is larger than life, more impressive than an ordinary human being. An epic hero usually has these character traits: from the Odyssey, Part One Literary Skills Focus: Epic Heroes and Conflict uncommon strength exceptional knowledge cunning (cleverness) courage daring

7. On the journey, the hero encounters challenges and dangers. from the Odyssey, Part One Literary Skills Focus: Epic Heroes and Conflict The hero experiences conflict as he or she faces forces of nature, gods, and other beings who help or prevent the hero’s progress.

8. from the Odyssey, Part One Literary Skills Focus: Epic Heroes and Conflict [End of Section] As you read the Odyssey, think about the conflicts Odysseus faces how he overcomes these conflicts the decisions and actions that make him a hero

9. When you draw conclusions, you sift through all the details in a narrative to make connections and form an opinion. Acting as a detective, you must look closely at the text and analyze evidence to support your opinion. from the Odyssey, Part One Reading Skills Focus: Monitoring Your Comprehension

10. Find It in Your Reading from the Odyssey, Part One Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer [End of Section] As you read, write down what you learn about the kind of behavior admired by the ancient Greeks. The Odyssey was used to teach values: What values do you think are demonstrated in this part of the story?

11. from the Odyssey, Part One Vocabulary adversity n.: hardship; great misfortune. profusion n.: large supply; abundance. adversary n.: enemy; opponent. formidable adj.: awe-inspiring by reason of excellence; strikingly impressive. tumult n.: commotion; uproar; confusion.

12. from the Odyssey, Part One QuickWrite How can events in a difficult journey reveal a person’s true qualities—both heroic and nonheroic ones? [End of Section]